Know the game. Play by the rules.
Make the right entrance
- Interviewers see a lot of candidates. Many will have made their minds up about you in the first five minutes. So make sure they remember you for the right reasons. Be punctual. Look smart. Stay relaxed and confident.
Research the company
- Interviewers are looking for evidence that you really know their company. Visit the company websites for detailed information. Why not request a copy of the Annual Report? Read the trade press and make sure you’re up to date with the latest business news in that sector. Don’t forget to draw on the expert knowledge of your consultant. They will have an insight into the company culture and employer’s expectations that will help differentiate you from other candidates.
- You should be up to speed with the following specifics about the company:
- What are its products and services?
- What areas is it looking to grow into?
- Who are their main competitors?
- How are they viewed in the marketplace?
- Make sure you have facts and figures about your current employer at your fingertips. Your interviewer will expect you to know a lot of information about companies you have previously worked for.
Sell your skills
- Interviewers are looking for the right skills. You need to offer objective proof of your ability to add value. Prepare relevant examples of past situations when you have successfully demonstrated the skills needed for this role. Use facts and figures to really impress.
Turn a negative into a positive
- You will be asked to describe a failure, weakness or negative. So be prepared. Answer honestly but end positively. Mention what lessons have been learned or what you’ve done since to improve a weakness. And don’t be negative about previous employers, however justified. Your interviewer might think you’ll be talking about their company in the same way soon.
Practice
- Think of ten questions you might be asked. As well as all the easy ones, think of the hard ones you’re hoping no one will ask. Write down your answers and then practice them until they’re really familiar in your head.
Cultural fit
- Companies are looking for people like them. Some employers will organise multiple rounds of interviews with potential colleagues to ensure the ‘fit’ is right.
- To prepare, you need to think about the company’s culture. Look for clues on its website, especially statements of corporate values. Think through what you are like and how you want to present yourself.
Honesty is the best policy
- Be positive but be truthful, both in your CV and at interview. Embellish too much and you could be caught out when asked to expand further. Everyone has weaknesses; but the way to handle them in interviews is to identify what you’re doing to improve them.
Persuade them you’re committed
- Convince your interviewer that you are serious about the opportunity. Prepare some strong reasons for your interest in the role. Demonstrate your enthusiasm with some well-phrased questions:
- Tell me about your background and your experience with this company
- Where is the company strongest and weakest when compared with the competition?
- What sort of person does well here?
Ending the interview
- Before leaving the room, there are a few things you need to have covered. Make sure you know what makes up the next stage of the interview process. And when you’ll hear the outcome of the interview you’ve just had. Finally express your interest in the role again and thank the interviewer for taking the time to see you.
Feedback
- Get in touch with your consultant after your interview with some honest feedback. This will help us to help you. We’ll give you a call as soon as we hear back from the client and will always provide feedback. Take it on board and use it to your benefit for future interviews.